Messiah (1741) is an oratorio by
George Frideric Handel. The name of the oratorio
is taken from Judaism and Christianity's concept of the messiah ("the
anointed one"). In Christianity, the Messiah is Jesus. Handel himself
was a devout Christian, and the work is a presentation of Jesus's life
and its significance according to Christian doctrine, with the text
of the oratorio taken from the King James Bible.
Handel called his oratorio simply "Messiah" (without "The") It is also
widely but wrongly referred to as The Messiah. This folk-title
is so common that, to many ears, the correct version actually sounds
wrong.
Although the text is devoted to resurrection and salvation, and the
work was conceived and first performed for Easter, it has
become traditional since Handel's death to perform the Messiah
oratorio during Advent, the preparatory period of the Christmas
season, rather than at Easter. Christmas concerts often feature only
the first section of Messiah plus the "Hallelujah" Chorus. The
work is also heard at Eastertide, and selections containing resurrection
themes are often included in Easter services. The soprano aria I Know that
my Redeemer Liveth is frequently heard at Christian
funerals.
Our 10th
Annual! 
